Seagate full capacity issue

SameerK

Member
May 2, 2005
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I know this is a common problem, but I just don't understand how to solve it. I know you have to change it to 48-bit from 24-bit addressing. I went to the Seagate website and tried to follow the directions in making their Segate Disc Wizard or whatever.

One thing the disc tells you to go through is a part when you have to make a bootable 3 1/2 floppy. My question is, can you make USB a bootable drive, as I do not have a 3 1/2 inch floppy (and do you change it in the BIOS?)?

An answer to that question or an easy solution to my original problem would be great. Thanks.
 

Vegito

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 1999
8,329
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Is this your primary boot or secondary data drive ?

If its secondary, you'll need windows service pack if you're running XP.. also make sure your bios is updated too..
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,378
4,998
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" I know you have to change it to 48-bit from 24-bit addressing. "

This is a BIOS issue. Either the BIOS supports it or it doesn't. Check with the MB manufacturer and see if they have a flash update to support 48 bit addressing. You will also need the SP from microsoft if you don't already have it.

pcgeek11
 

shoRunner

Platinum Member
Nov 8, 2004
2,629
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google--> big drive enabler...and dear god how many time does this question show up.
 

imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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I just had this problem a few weeks ago.

If you're using win2k, you need service pack 3 (pref. 4). If using XP, sp1 (or pref. sp2) should be all you need. Once you've installed the service pack, you need to change a value in the registry. If you dont want to do this yourself, maxtor has a free download on their site that will do it for you. (it works on any hard drive, not just maxtor. mine is a WD and it worked fine).
Download is here:
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/big_drive_enabler.htm

So Basically:
1)installing the service pack
2)reboot
3)run the program from maxtor
4)reboot again.
Now your problem should be fixed. Also, if you already have the service pack installed, you can skip steps 1&2.

{If all this doesnt work, it may be your MoBo. If your MoBo is more than a few years old, you may need to flash it to update the BIOS.}

RoD
 
Feb 17, 2005
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uh i made the missing piece of my hdd a separate partition by going to control panel>performance and maintainence>adminsistrative tools>computer management>disk management>and made it into drive f:.....
 

imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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^^^ That will only work if your OS can access all of the HDD, and that requires 48-bit LBA.

But yes, once 48-bit LBA is enabled you will need to create a partition on it, or add it to an existing partition (with a prog such as partition magic).

RoD
 

SameerK

Member
May 2, 2005
109
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So I enabled 48-bit addressing, and it shows an extra 58 gigs when I check the Disk Management (as it should)

I'm trying to merge the partitions with PartitionMagic...but in the user guide, it says I should not merge partitions that have OSs on them. I, indeed, am trying to merge a partition with an OS on it. Any easy way to go around this or do I have to format my 200 gb one, install my OS on my other hard drive, and then try merging the partitions?